Smart Energy Ltd got a boost recently, when CEO and president Ian Smart completed a stint of work in Germany from March to May this year, as part of One World Engineering, a team of freelance engineers and electricians. The group was subcontracted to build a 12- mega watt utility-scale solar energy power plant. Additionally, Smart, 35, who also lectures at UTT Point Lisas, took a week out his German work practicum to attend a sustainable energy tour of Italy. Smart Energy Ltd won one of two regional spots on the tour for its design of a solar street light concept for the Caribbean market.
Smart felt working alongside international specialists in the field was invaluable: "It was a great opportunity to enhance my knowledge and experience, to better run my company." Smart, a University of Western Ontario alumnus, sees Germany's energy diversification thrust is leading the way for other nations. "Germany has managed to overhaul its energy mix in one decade," he said. Twenty-five per cent of energy supplied in Germany is now coming from a mix of renewables, such as wind, solar photovoltaics and biomass. "They have set a target of supplying 50 per cent of their energy from renewables by 2050. This diversification of the energy supply will only serve to strengthen German's Energy security." One important aspect of the German model that he feels could be of tremendous benefit to the Caribbean region is its potential for job creation. "And not just jobs, but good quality jobs." He said: "Someone working in a solar field or a biomass plant or a wind turbine is more likely to enjoy their job than an oil turbine. It's much quieter, much cleaner, and less hazardous. "Not just that, jobs that are created in renewable energy are more likely to be created in rural areas. People won't have to travel to the city."
You can generate power where you need it–not create it far away and charge consumers for distribution. It's cutting out the middle man. It's energy democracy." "What I saw over there is that there is an entire ecosystem around renewable energy and energy efficiency. It sustains big corporations, individual sole traders, micro businesses and freelancers." He said: "Some of the unlikely big winners in this energy revolution have been farmers. It is quite common for farmers to not only harvest food but also to harvest energy from their land. Return on investment for solar energy fields in Germany can vary from seven to ten per cent per annum, depending on the weather, he said. A plant can generate electricity at costs much lower than using fossil fuels. "For most of the Caribbean these numbers would be better, as we get five times more solar insolation (sic) than Germany.
Smart Energy Ltd, now in its tenth year, reached another significant milestone recently, partnering with Precision Power, an energy company based at 142 Sixth Street in Barataria. Precision Power provides fuel cells, UPS systems, propane generators, and precision cooling, so together, Smart said, they can offer clients a range of energy solutions. The Italian leg of his trip was conducted in Rome, Italy at the Gestore Servizi Energetici (GSE) and the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA). Its purpose was to enable participants to see the practical implementation of research development and renewable energy projects, exchange ideas, and reflect critically on their own experiences. "The tour opened our eyes to the endless possibilities for renewable energy, and was very helpful in encouraging us to seek ways to extend these ideas to the Caribbean," Smart said. For more info on Smart Energy Ltd, visit: www.ttsmartenergy.com